Bible to the fifteenth of Matthew and twenty-seventh verse: "Truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table." Pausing a moment, he slowly repeated these words with his eyes steadily fixt on the face of the Boer; and again pausing, a third time recited the appropriate words. Angrily the Boer cried out, "Well, well, bring them in." A crowd of blacks then thronged the kitchen, and Moffat preached to them all the blessed Word of God.—Pierson, "The Miracles of Missions."
(3211)
The following incident shows how an apparently chance occurrence may bring conviction through the word of Scripture:
While in the St. Louis jail, Burke had obtained
a copy of a city paper which published
a sermon by Mr. Moody, then preaching in
St. Louis. This paper announced the topic
of Mr. Moody's sermon in a sensational
headline, "How the Jailer at Philippi was
Caught." Burke thought the reference was
to the town of Philippi in Illinois, a place
of which he knew; and he began to read
what he supposed to be jail news. He became
interested as he read on. Nine times
in the sermon he came upon the text, "Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou
shalt be saved." It imprest him so deeply
that in the cell that night for the first time
Burke prayed. Soon after he believed, and
was assured of salvation. The jailer thought
Burke was playing the "pious dodge," and
only suspected him the more. When the
case came to trial, however, he escaped conviction,
and was released. For some months
the ex-convict could find no one so to trust
him as to give him steady work. He finally
was given a position under the sheriff of the
county, made the collector of the office, and
until he died some time afterward, Burke
never disappointed the confidence reposed in
him.—H. C. Mabie, "Methods in Evangelism."
(3212)
Texts—See Fitness.
Thankfulness—See Unselfishness.
THANKS
A little scene of child-life has often seemed
to me to contain the most touching lesson
for men. A child knows when it receives a
service from any one that it should say
thank you. But, often, when a child renders
us a service, we forget to thank it. After
having waited in vain for the little word
which should be pronounced, it then itself
says, "Thank you," and goes its way. The
child has a feeling that something ought to
happen and does not; then he takes charge
of it himself.—Charles Wagner, "The Gospel
of Life."
(3213)
THANKS, THE SOLACE OF
Even "hello girls" are tired sometimes, tho
we think of them as part of the electrical
apparatus. To-day Central was tired, her
head ached, she had just succeeded, after repeated
calls, in getting the number wanted
by 349-M, and here they were, calling her up
again! "Can't that woman be quiet a minute?"
soliloquized Central while she reiterated,
"Number, please?" trying not to speak
crossly. "Central," said a pleasant voice, "I
want to thank you for taking so much
trouble to get me that last number. You are
always very kind and obliging, and I do appreciate
it." The surprize was so great, so
overwhelming, that Central could only murmur
confusedly, "I—oh—yes, ma'am." Nothing
like this had ever happened before. Suddenly
her headache was better, suddenly the
day was brighter, suddenly, too, there came
a lump in her throat, and she reached for
her handkerchief. It was so good to be
thanked. (Text.)
(3214)
THANKSGIVING
I thank Thee that I learn
Not toil to spurn;
With all beneath the sun
It makes me one;
For tears, whereby I gain
Kinship with human pain;
For Love, my comrade by the dusty ways,
I give Thee praise.
—Emily Read Jones.
(3215)
THANKSGIVING DAY
Robert Bridges is the author of these verses:
We give Thee thanks, O Lord!
Not for armed legions, marching in their might,
Not for the glory of the well-earned fight
Where brave men slay their brothers also brave;
But for the millions of Thy sons who work—
And do Thy task with joy—and never shirk,
And deem the idle man a burdened slave;
For these, O Lord, our thanks!
